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Glock 19: The Only True Compact 9mm

22K views 337 replies 88 participants last post by  DWARREN123 
#1 · (Edited)
That’s right. Just like the title says. The Glock 19 is the only 9mm handgun that can truly be considered a ‘compact’ design.

All the other manafacturers have come out with their compact versions, yet they are much closer in overall height to the Glock 17. Let’s break out the numbers...

Overall height:

(Glock 19- 4.99 inches)

(Glock 17- 5.43 inches)

Some of the popular competition:

CZ P10C- 5.2 inches

Sig P320C- 5.3 inches

Walther PPQ- 5.3 inches

HK VP9- 5.41 inches

I’m really not sure why it’s so difficult for the other guys to come out with a 15 round polymer pistol with an overall height of less than or equal to 4.99 inches in overall height.
 
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#4 ·
I’m really not sure why it’s so difficult for the other guys to come out with a 15 round polymer pistol with an overall height of less than or equal to 4.99 inches in overall height.
That statement presupposes that they have tried to do it. We don't know that. "Shortest grip in its class" is not a big selling point.


:dog::dog::dog:
 
#8 ·
A G43 is a lot more compact than a G19 and a Kahr PM9 is even more compact. Glock came up with the term compact to differentiate it from a full-size duty gun but a more accurate term would be "Mid-sized".

I never liked the G17 and I always thought the Beretta 92 was way too big for a 9mm. The first time I saw a Glock 19 I wanted one and I had never owned a Glock before.

The Glock 19's size, while not truly compact, is compact enough that it's more easily concealed than most of the other 15 round "Mid-sized" double stack 9's.
 
#10 ·
A G43 is a lot more compact than a G19 and a Kahr PM9 is even more compact. Glock came up with the term compact to differentiate it from a full-size duty gun but a more accurate term would be "Mid-sized"...
I agree, I consider my 19 to be "mid-size" amongst my 34, full size CZs, and my 42, 43, and P238. Of these pistols, the only one I would call "compact" is the 43 because it is easily concealable on a belt but too big for pocket carry.

YMMV
 
#11 ·
I can appreciate your enthusiasm for the G19 ... but ...

The G19, with its 7.28" length and 4.01" barrel is more akin to a full-size duty pistol than a true compact. It's only a "compact" from Glock's perspective because it's smaller than the G17. (The standard 5906/5903 had a 4" barrel and a 15rd mag, and was a full-size duty pistol, for example.)

The standard S&W M&P compact, like the M&P 9c, has a 3.5" barrel, a 6.7" length and only lacks 3 rounds of mag capacity (12 v. 15).

Glock's "subcompacts" are more like the "compacts" made by some other gun companies.

In earlier time the designations of full-size and compact were a lot simpler. Once the "subcompact" designation entered the fray, things got more than a little "variable". ;)
 
#13 · (Edited)
True, however the overall height of the weapon is of much more importance in terms of concealment than the overall length of the slide/barrel assembly.

The height of the weapon is what causes it to print for example, under a t shirt IWB. The length of the weapon is concealed under the pants (har har) and is not a hinderance when trying to conceal the pistol.

The height of the weapon is what causes the grip to poke into your shirt etc

The shorter the overall height of the weapon, the less it will print in general.
 
#17 ·
Only the Glock 19 and Steyr C9-A1 can truly be considered mid-size or ‘compact’ handguns. The rest of the bunch are full size duty guns with an abbreviated muzzle/slide length which means **** all for concealment. It’s all about the overall height of the weapon when printing is a concern.

If printing isn’t a big concern, by all means, strap on that full size duty gun under a flannel or jacket and go about your merry way.
 
#286 ·
Only the Glock 19 and Steyr C9-A1 can truly be considered mid-size or ‘compact’ handguns. The rest of the bunch are full size duty guns with an abbreviated muzzle/slide length which means **** all for concealment. It’s all about the overall height of the weapon when printing is a concern.

If printing isn’t a big concern, by all means, strap on that full size duty gun under a flannel or jacket and go about your merry way.
Printing isn't illegal. Why all the concern?
 
#19 ·
Nor do I consider it a compact. However, it does fit the bill for duty and concealed carry very well. The 43 is a compact, with all of the ammo limitations which accrue thereunto.
Schematics, but I consider the G43 and the like as ‘sub compacts’

I personally went with the Kahr CM9 as it is noticeably smaller and easier to pocket carry. Much closer in size to the G42 really.
 
#34 ·
View attachment 356995 Agree, the G19 is the best compact gun in the world.
Lighter, higher capacity, low bore axis, most reliable etc...
It wasn't designed to be a sub compact.
Correction, WAS the best. But in 2017, as everything does, things change. And all good things come to an end. The M&P M2.0 Compact is here. In 9mm and .40.
 
#26 · (Edited)
IMO a handgun should fit into one of these 4 categories depending on the manufacturers model line up

Full Size (full length barrel and grip for that model)

Carry (a little length off the barrel if the full size normally has a long barrel, think upwards of 5")

Compact (shortened grip and barrel compared to its full size or carry counter part)

Sub Compact (anything smaller than a compact)
 
#28 ·
Gun Firearm Trigger Airsoft gun Airsoft
I'll throw this pic in as I was posting it on the 1911 forum. I didn't have the mags in, so some of the G19's grip length advantage is obviated by the thicker base pad than a 1911's.
What the EMP gives up in capacity it gives back in spades on grip, and trigger feel.
Perhaps the nomenclature could go back to:
Government
Commander
(Champion)
Officer
Single stack flat and pocket carry
Baby Colt .25ACP
Deringer?
The beauty is being able to own, carry and shoot both--and many more!
 
#50 · (Edited)
View attachment 357041 I'll throw this pic in as I was posting it on the 1911 forum. I didn't have the mags in, so some of the G19's grip length advantage is obviated by the thicker base pad than a 1911's.
What the EMP gives up in capacity it gives back in spades on grip, and trigger feel.
Perhaps the nomenclature could go back to:
Government
Commander
(Champion)
Officer
Single stack flat and pocket carry
Baby Colt .25ACP
Deringer?
The beauty is being able to own, carry and shoot both--and many more!

I like that EMP4. U shoulda lined up the muzzles for a more easily discernable comparison.

Also, any chance you could post us some width/grip photos? i.e. side-by-side from the back to show width, and side-by-side from the bottom to show cross-section. Pls and thank you!

Edit: nevermind, just saw all your pics over in the EMP4CC thread in 1911. thanks.
 
#29 ·
When the Glock 26 came out, I had to have one and I kept it for 14 years. One day I laid it atop my Glock 19 and when I saw just how close in size they really were, I sold my G26 as the G19 carries as easily and is a more tactically effective weapon.
 
#42 · (Edited)
CZ PCR OAL - 7.24"
G19 OAL -7.28"

CZ PCR HT - 5.03" or 4/100th or 3/64th of an inch taller
G19 HT - 4.99"

CZ PCR Barrel - 3.75"
G19 Barrel - 4.01"
Again, keep in mind that the overall length of the weapon means nothing for concealment except perhaps some small degree of comfort, but not concealment.

It is the OVERALL HEIGHT or how tall the weapon is inside the waistband or outside under a cover garment, that means everything in how well the particular weapon conceals.

The Glock 17 is taller than the Glock 19, thus is harder to conceal as more of the grip length and handgun height pushes through the material of your clothing increasing printing, for example.

The Glock 19 is noticeably shorter in overall height compared to the competition with their mid size or ‘compact’ line up. Granted the M&P 2.0 comes in pretty close (5.00 vs 4.99 inches tall)

In fact, the only pistol design that can rival and even beat the G19 in terms of concealment would be the Steyr C9-A1. Everything else, PPQ, VP9, P320 compact, CZ P10C are essentially almost the exact same overall height as the Glock 17, with two less rounds on tap. Dealbreaker for me personally.

Height is everything. It is what separates the pistol classes from each other from a concealment perspective. To a lesser degree, weapon width also matters. Weapon length is of the least importance and has essentially no bearing on the discussion.

The Glock 26 is noticeably easier to conceal than my G19. Why? Because the overall height of the gun is almost 3/4 of an inch shorter which directly corresponds with how well the gun will conceal.

Don’t get me wrong here, certainly the other designs offer some relative improvements over the Glock, such as ergonomics, better trigger, bore axis, etc.

However, as a pure concealment option, the Glock 19 beats them all (mid-size/ compact) with exception to the Steyr.

The other designs simply abbreviate the muzzle/ slide length yet the grip portion/height of the gun is close enough in height or how tall the platform is to the Glock 17 full size.

Any time I look at the other ‘compact’ pistol designs many with the aforementioned improvements in ergonomics or otherwise, I quickly realize I might as well just carry the Glock 17 with two more rounds flush in the gun given the height similarity.

The rule is simple. I need a pistol design that is 4.99 inches tall or less and that holds 15 rounds of 9mm minimum, for me to seriously consider the handgun as a true mid size option.

When the competition essentially markets their designs as ‘compact’ or mid size with an overall height essentially the same as s full size Glock 17, it’s a dealbreaker (for concealment)
 
#33 ·
I dont see it as a compact. The 19 is a full size. A compact is a lot smaller. Holds around 12 rounds, and has a 3.5" barrel, like the original M&P compact. That is a compact. The Glock 26 size gun is close. Sub-compacts have double stack mags, like a Springfield XD9subcompact, 3" barrel with a double stack. A Shield or Glock 43 is a single stack micro pistol. Just how I see it.
 
#41 ·
Back when I was a LEO, I carried a Colt Commander both on Duty, and off. If I was still a LEO at his time I would be carrying a G-23, or G-19 They both work fine for both On Duty and Off. A G-30S would also be a good choice, with 10 rounds in the pistol, and 2 13 round G-21 mags on belt.
The G-19/23 on the belt sure would have been nice, a lot less weight at the end of the shift.
A friend tried to sell me on carrying a S&W 629 6" one time.
He had the complete rig and I wore it for a week, and gave it back to him.
I never ran across a Light Weight Commander, or I might have tried it.
I just put up with the weight of what I had.
A 19/23 sure would have been nice, back then.
 
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